West Indies demolish New Zealand to square ODIs

Tourists hammer their way to a 203-run win to draw series 2-2.

HAMILTON: The West Indies hammered their highest-ever limited-overs total to crush New Zealand by 203 runs in the fifth and final One-Day International (ODI) on Wednesday, drawing the series 2-2.

Skipper Dwayne Bravo and Kirk Edwards both scored centuries as the visitors flayed New Zealand’s attack to reach 363 for four, before Nikita Miller dominated with the ball to skittle the Black Caps for 160.

The mammoth total was the highest ever posted by the West Indies in a 50-over match, surpassing the 360 in Karachi against Sri Lanka in the 1987 World Cup.

“We came into this game with our backs against the wall and needed a big win,” said Bravo. “Everyone played a big part and played hard to represent our country.”

The West Indian assault

Bravo and Edwards came together at 143 for three and put on 211 runs, with Edwards finishing unbeaten on 123, his maiden ODI century. The captain was dismissed shortly before the end of the innings for 106.

Opener Kieran Powell had launched a blistering assault at the start of the innings, smashing 73 runs off just 44 balls with 12 fours and two sixes.

He plundered 18 off a single Mitchell McClenaghan over, with one lucky spectator winning $83,000 from a beer sponsor by catching one of his sixes one-handed.

Meanwhile, Nathan McCullum to try to stem the runs and the tactic paid off almost immediately when Powell was out lbw for 73, trying to sweep.

Fellow opener Johnson Charles was run out for 31 when Nathan McCullum sent the stumps flying with a direct hit.

Bravo came to the crease and steadied the innings with Edwards, who smashed a six to notch his half century.

Meanwhile, Brendon McCullum rued his side’s ‘terrible’ show in the final ODI.

“It was a terrible day for us,” said Brendon McCullum.

“The West Indies boys certainly came out today and put in a performance we knew they were capable of. We weren’t able to get there today and were comprehensively beaten.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 9^th, 2014.

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